UTAH'S FLOOD WATCH

High mountain snow melt fills rivers and creeks as peak runoff nears

May 26, 2023, 5:15 PM | Updated: 7:50 pm

SALT LAKE CITY — The high-elevation snowpack in Utah is melting quickly. The low-elevation and mid-elevation snow has already melted and run off into creeks and rivers.

Still, there is a lot of water that has to come down from the high mountains

The creeks that drain the high-elevation snowpack are really roaring right now.  That includes Big Cottonwood Creek, Little Cottonwood Creek, City Creek, and Mill Creek in Salt Lake County.  

Huge volumes are flowing in those creeks today and the peak is still a week away.

Glen Merrill, hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Salt Lake City, talks about the high runoff flows in Big Cottonwood Creek. (KSL TV) Big Cottonwood Creek is roaring as high-mountain snow continues to melt. (KSL  TV)

“That high elevation snowpack has ripened, and it’s melting, and it’s melting fast on a daily basis,” Glen Merrill, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service said.

He met us at Big Cottonwood Creek to talk about the runoff.  He briefed Salt Lake County Flood Control earlier in the day. 

“Right now, we’re seeing super huge volumes spread out over time, which is the perfect scenario to actually get through the melt-off with the record-breaking snowpack that we’ve experienced this year,” Merrill said. 

There are still more than 40 inches of snow water equivalent at the top of Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons, he said, melting at a rate of two inches a day.

There are still more than 20 days of snow left to come down the hydrologist said. 

“The weather has behaved. We should all thank the weather because right now, the positives far outweigh the negatives,” he said. 

He is expecting the Cottonwood Creeks to keep rising gradually, peaking in about ten days, sometime between June 2 and June 12. City Creek should peak next week.

“We’re just seeing kind of a muted effect with the weather being very favorable for runoff, and this cloud cover has really benefited how the snow comes down,” Kade Moncur, director of Salt Lake County Flood Control said.

Right now, they’re not projecting those creeks to flood, while Salt Lake County Flood Control continues to monitor the swift water flowing within the banks.

“We go from creek to creek,” Moncur said. “We’re pulling all of the debris from where we usually do. We’re actually out in the middle of the night and were monitoring those creeks. But we’re just not seeing a ton of issues at the moment.”

There has been some flooding, the kind to be expected on a record-breaking snow year.

Even with the ideal weather conditions, a flood warning was issued for the Logan River on Tuesday but it expired Friday morning.

Several cabins were already dealing with damage on Tuesday as waters pushed through some sandbag walls.

A road leading to several cabins was washed over and residents were concerned that both of their access roads would also get washed out.

“We are escaping that widespread, dramatic, flooding, that we’ve seen in years past,” Merrill said. 

It’s still too early to say that there won’t be any flooding issues related to these creeks.  So far, the water is flowing well.

KSL 5 TV Live

Utah's Flood Watch

High and cool waters rushing under a bridge in Little Cottonwood Canyon. (KSL TV)...

Andrew Adams

Hydrologist optimistic about Salt Lake County runoff picture as thunderstorm threat looms

A longtime hydrologist expressed optimism Monday about the potential for the county to avoid any further runoff and flooding issues.

1 day ago

A vial of floodwater from the 1983 flooding in Salt Lake City. (KSL TV)...

Shelby Lofton

Utah historian uncovers artifacts from 1983 floods

A Utah museum curator stumbled across some intriguing artifacts from the 1983 flooding that hit Utah years ago.

1 day ago

Bake Lake visitors on the shrinking beach. (KSL TV)...

Mike Anderson and Michael Houck

Heavy runoff means more water, less beach at Bear Lake

The Memorial Day weekend at Bear Lake is starting the tourism season, with a lot less beach compared to the previous years. 

1 day ago

The debris leftover from the January avalanche. (KSL TV)...

Ladd Egan

Bridal Veil Falls remains closed; avalanche deposit creating safety hazard

Even as Utahns mark the unofficial start to summer, Bridal Veil Falls remains closed because of debris and ice left behind from a January avalanche.

1 day ago

Dry Creek closed off to the public. (KSL TV)...

Shelby Lofton

Lehi officials warn residents to stay away from high water this Memorial Day

Officials in northern Utah are warning people to stay out of creeks, streams, and rivers this Memorial Day weekend.

2 days ago

Deer Creek Reservoir...

Ladd Egan

Deer Creek, Jordanelle nearing capacity; releasing extra water

Those heading outdoors this holiday weekend will notice that many of Utah’s reservoirs are nearing capacity.

4 days ago

Sponsored Articles

Asian little girl playing arcade game on the computer machines at the shopping mall outlets...

Get Out Pass

Family Fun Activities in Utah You Have to Try This Summer

These family fun activities will entertain you all summer, so if you ever feel stuck in a rut wondering what to do, refer to this guide!

Woman IT specialist in elegant suit working on notebook computer in data center next to server rack...

Les Olson

Your Complete Guide to Outsourcing IT Services

This guide covers everything you need to know about the different benefits of outsourcing IT services to meet your small business needs.

diverse group of friends dance outside under string lights...

Lighting Design

5 Frequently Asked Questions About Outdoor Lighting

Read for the most frequently asked questions about outdoor lighting to help narrow the search for your home.

Stack of old laptops with dark background...

PC Laptops

Old Laptop Upgrades You Need to Try Before Throwing it Away

Get the most out of your investment. Try these old laptop upgrades before throwing it out to keep it running fast and efficient.

Happy diverse college or university students are having fun on their graduation day...

BYU MBA at the Marriott School of Business

How to Choose What MBA Program is Right for You: Take this Quiz Before You Apply!

Wondering what MBA program is right for you? Take this quiz before you apply to see if it will help you meet your goals.

Close up of an offset printing machine during production...

Les Olson IT

Top 7 Reasons to Add a Production Printer to Your Business

Learn about the different digital production printers and how they can help your company save time and money.

High mountain snow melt fills rivers and creeks as peak runoff nears